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U.N. says Obama's bid to Congress on Syria is part of push for consensus

Sept. 1 - UN says Obama's decision to seek congressional approval for possible military action against Syria can be seen as part of an effort to forge a global consensus. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.

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The U.N. has offered praise as U.S. President Barack Obama seeks congressional approval for possible military action against Syria.
On Sunday U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said it signaled an effort to find consensus on the use of chemical weapons.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N. SPOKESMAN MARTIN NESIRKY SAYING:
"The Secretary-General took note of the announcement by President Obama yesterday on the referral to Congress. I can tell you he regards it as one aspect of an effort to achieve a broad-based international consensus on measures in response to any use of chemical weapons. The use of chemical weapons will not be accepted under any circumstances and there should be no impunity and any perpetrators of such a horrific crime against humanity must be held accountable. The UN investigation mission must be given an opportunity to succeed."
It will likely be a few weeks before U.N. inspectors issue a report on chemical weapons based their findings in Syria.
Obama has already pointed the finger at Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces -- saying they were responsible for an attack last month that killed more than 1,000 people and hundreds of children.
The House of Representatives will take up the issue in the week of September 9th.

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